The tepid campaigns of Republicans seeking to challenge Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton in New York State are about to be upstaged by a new candidate. This isn't happening from the right side of the political spectrum, but from the left. Former union leader and strong anti-war voice Jonathan Tasini is expected this week to launch a Democratic party challenge to Clinton. Clinton is one of the biggest hawks among nationally-known Democrats: in 2002, she was a strong supporter of the Iraq invasion and she has remains one of the most vocal proponents of "staying the course" to this day.
Democrats have made big strides lately in the state, developing themes of regional planning, transparency of government, fiscal responsibility, and inclusion of many voices in political decision-making. A senate primary may be an excellent crucible to see how well those themes are playing state-wide, and how much the pro-war and pro-secrecy views of Senator Clinton are compatible with the views of New York Democrats.
Posted by jimj at December 6, 2005 06:53 AM | TrackBack